The most common scam text messages in Australia

Scam texts ("smishing") are cheap to send in huge numbers, look official on a small screen, and only need a few people to tap. These are the ones Australians report most - and the one rule that beats all of them.

1. Unpaid toll

"Linkt: You have an unpaid toll. Pay $7.42 now to avoid a $160 late fee." The link goes to a fake payment page that takes your card. More on toll scams.

2. Parcel on hold / redelivery fee

"AusPost: your parcel could not be delivered due to an incomplete address." Australia Post and other couriers don't ask for redelivery fees by text link. More on parcel scams.

3. myGov, Medicare and Centrelink

"myGov: you have a pending refund / your account has been suspended." Services Australia has stopped putting links in its texts - any myGov text with a link is a scam.

4. The ATO

A tax refund waiting, or a debt that must be paid today. The ATO won't send an unsolicited message with a link to log in. ATO scams.

5. Your bank

"A new device has logged in to your account. If this wasn't you, call..." The number connects to a scammer posing as the fraud team. Texts may even appear in the same thread as your bank's real messages. Bank impersonation scams.

6. "Hi Mum" / "Hi Dad"

"Hi Mum, I dropped my phone, this is my new number." It ends with an urgent request for money. The Hi Mum scam.

7. Subscriptions and online shopping

Netflix, Amazon, Apple or a streaming service "couldn't process your payment". Check in the official app instead.

8. Job offers

A recruiter offering hundreds of dollars a day for "rating products" or "liking videos", then asking you to move to WhatsApp or Telegram. These end with you paying to "unlock" earnings.

9. Investment and crypto

Tips, "guaranteed" returns or a celebrity-backed platform. Check any investment business on ASIC's Moneysmart site before you send money.

10. Wrong number, then friendship

"Hi, is this Sarah? Sorry, wrong number!" - followed by friendly chat that weeks later becomes an investment pitch or a request for help.

Red flags in any message

• A link, especially a lookalike address or a shortened link;
• urgency, a deadline or a penalty;
• a small payment, a refund or a prize;
• a request to move to WhatsApp, Telegram or a phone call;
• spelling and grammar that's slightly off, or a sender ID that's just a mobile number.

Not sure? Paste it into the scam text checker - it runs in your browser and shows every red flag.

I tapped the link - what now?

If you only opened the page, close it and delete the message. If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now. If you entered a password, change it everywhere you use it. Then see what to do if you've been scammed.

And report the sender: report the number on BadCall (choose "Texted me" and paste the message) and forward it to your provider.